Spend the evening immersed in conversation as fascinating
guests share stories from their lives, careers, and passions - alongside reflections
on the role wine has played in shaping their journeys. Thoughtful, personal,
and informative, these are conversations to sit back and savour.

The guests will change but the essence of the evening will remain the same: free-flowing wine, canapés and great conversation.

While Elizabeth Lane’s work as Director of Christie’s has brought its own adventures and interests, her life has also been intertwined with some remarkable characters thanks to her family and her childhood growing up at Chilworth Manor.

Elizabeth's mother, Lady Daphne Heald's legendary status endures in the local area after a lifetime of fundraising, charity and community work including as chairman of the NGS.

Meanwhile Elizabeth’s father, Sir Lionel Heald, served as Attorney General in Winston Churchill’s government. Coincidentally one of Winston's ancestors Lady Sarah Churchill was also a former Chilworth Manor resident during Queen Anne's reign.

In 1963 Elizabeth married Colonel George Lane (born in Hungary as Lanyi Gyorgy). Having moved to the UK in 1935 to study, George became a British SOE operative in WW2. As a member of this covert organisation tasked by Churchill with "setting Europe ablaze" through espionage and sabotage, George was captured and questioned by none other than Field Marshall Rommel in the lead up to D-Day!

We cannot wait to welcome Elizabeth back to Chilworth for what promises to be a fascinating and unique evening of story telling for anyone with a local, historical or political interest!

In our first Wine & Words double act, two of Britain’s greatest Sports stars of the nineties (who now both live within walking distance of Chilworth Manor Vineyard!) will join us to reminisce about their parallel careers over a glass of wine at The Watch House.

1996 was the year in which Damon achieved his dream of becoming Formula 1 World Champion while Roger achieved his of standing on the 400m Olympic rostrum in Atlanta.

Whilst sprinting and motor racing clearly have many distinctions, the drive, determination, and associated pressures to be the best on any global stage serve as a common thread for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening of Words & Wine.

Tickets for this event are not yet on sale.

We expect high demand so each booking will be restricted to two tickets per order.

The Odo Circle Members are allocated two tickets to each of our Words & Wine events.